Businesses in Ramadan: strange hours but similar problems for UAE hospitals

Dr Fadi Baladi, medical director, and Michael Ghani, director of operations, of the Burjeel Day Surgery Centre in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

At the time of day when most people are relaxing and breaking their fast, doctors at the city's clinics are just getting started.

And while no day is the same in medicine, hospitals are seeing more patients with diabetes or asthma coming to them with fasting related health problems.

Many health related issues during Ramadan are due to medication, with patients unsure of taking their prescribed treatments during periods of fasting, or at the wrong time of day.

The effects can be devastating, with medical staff at the Burjeel Day Surgery Centre on Al Reem Island recording a spike in hospital admissions either first thing in the morning, or later at night.

“We see a lot of problems with the timing of medication taken by our patients that cause problems during fasting hours - because of that, relapses are common,” said Dr Fadi Baladi, medical director of the surgery.

“Because of the nature of the diseases we are treating related to fasting, we do see problems related to gastro intestinal conditions and dehydration in the heat.

“With asthma patients, we have seen some who are worried about breaking their fast by using their inhaler.

“A patient has come into the hospital because her asthma has become a problem.

“When I asked her about the medication, she told me she was taking her daily dose in just four or five hours, rather than the stipulated 24-hour cycle. This was causing a problem.

“Patients with diabetes are also having the same problems by postponing their insulin and this is dangerous.”